This circular tsa tsa depicts the Bodhisattva Manjushri Namasangiti. In his right hand, he holds his »flaming sword of wisdom«, with which he symbolically severs the roots of ignorance. He sits cross-legged on a single-tiered lotus throne with only three lotus petals; his hair is tied up in three buns.
Manjushri Namasangiti is a profound and popular tantric form of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, widely found in Tibetan art and Vajrayana Buddhism. He is regarded as the embodiment of supreme knowledge and is closely associated with the tantric text of the same name, the Namasangiti Tantra.
The Namasangiti Tantra is considered one of the most important texts in Tantric Buddhism and is often referred to as the »King of Vajrayana Tantras.« It is a collection of praises describing various aspects of Manjushri’s wisdom.
Manjushri is surrounded by four mantras arranged in two concentric arcs [above] and three horizontal lines below. The Tibetan Uchen script was used for the characters of the mantras. However, the language is not Tibetan, but ancient Indian Sanskrit. It is unusual, though occasionally encountered, for a Sanskrit text to be written in Tibetan letters rather than the corresponding Sanskrit script [»Devanagari«].
Here is an example of the mantra in the inner concentric arc, meaning »purity« in transcribed Sanskrit:
»Om a ā aṃ a[ḥ] pra kra ti pa ri shud dha sa rba dha rma ya du ta sa rba ta thā ga tā ga (dza) nya na«
Translation: “Om - by nature perfectly pure, upheld by all Dharma principles, the essence of all Tathāgatas and their wisdom«
The creation of tsa tsas imbued with the energy of Manjushri Namasangiti embodies wisdom and the enlightened mind in physical form. These energy-charged votive tablets are placed inside stupas, set up on altars, or used as remedies to cultivate wisdom, dispel negative energies, and purify karma.
Condition report: The age of the votive tablet is evident. The outer border, which was originally closed, is no longer fully preserved in the lower half, though the tsa-tsa imprint remains unaffected. Despite the signs of age visible across the entire surface, all the essential details are still clearly discernible. Only the slightly raised head of Manjushri on the impression shows somewhat more wear.
| Example in a Chinese publication |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurements: | 2.8 x 2.8 x 1.1" | 7.0 x 7.0 x 2.8 cm |
| Material: | Wood |
| Age: | 11th cent. |
| Price: | Open to offers |
| High resolution: | Display [1.2 MB, 2185 x 3212 px.] |
